Slope and grade meter

ABSTRACT

A device for use on construction equipment of the type having an earth moving tool positionably mounted thereon. The meter includes a first indicator for indicating the desired position at which the tool must be held to form a desired slope or grade. A second indicator is provided which indicates the actual tool position so that by comparing the desired and the actual position indications an operator is able to move the tool accordingly.

0 United States Patent 1151 3,678,885 Ferguson 14 1 July 25, 1972 [54]SLOPE AND GRADE METER 2,851,799 9/1958 Meents et a1 ..37/1)1o. 14 [72]Inventor: William K Ferguson, 2526 E. North Lane, 3,235, 39; 9/1962Holland ..172/4.5 Phoenix Adz. 85028 3, 8/1964 Curlett et al ..172/4.53,556,225 1/1971 Matsuzak1 ..172/4.5 [22] Filed: May 17, 1971 PrimaryExaminer-Louis J. Capozi [2]] App! Altorne v--Herbert E. Haynes, Jr.

[52] [1.5. Cl ..ll6/l24, 37/D1G. 19, l16/DIG. 13, [57] ABSTRACT 51 l tCl A device for use on construction equipment of the type having i56/208, an earth moving tool positionably mounted thereon. The 1 5 14172/4 meter includes a first indicator for indicating the desiredposition at which the tool must be held to form a desired slope or 56References Cited grade. A second indicator is provided which indicatesthe actual tool position so that by comparing the desired and the ac-UNITED STATES PATENTS tual position indications an operator is able tomove the tool accordingly. 1,825,258 9/1931 Barber ..37/DlG. 192,029,455 2/1936 Wilson ..37/DlG. 14 9 Claims, 13 Drawing FiguresPatented July 25, 1972 3 Shuts-Shut l I \ma Iran =1 SLOPE AND GRADEMETER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to meters and more particularly to a slope and grademeter for use on construction equipment.

2. Description of the Prior Art The necessity for accurate positioningof the earth moving tools of construction equipment when formingembankments, roadways, parking lots and the like has long been known.

Several devices have been devised to aid an operator in holding theearth moving tool of a construction machine in a desired position. Ingeneral, these prior art devices are either inaccurate, hard to see, ordifficult for the operator to use. Hence, most operators rely on feel"with the result that final or finish grading is left for the mostexperienced and skilled operators.

In an attempt to alleviate this problem, a fully automaticelectrohydraulic servo system was developed. This system automaticallyrepositions the tool when such variables as irregularities in smoothnessand density of the surface or the materials being worked cause the earthmoving machine to deviate from the ideal path and position. Thisparticular prior art system is very complex, costly, and requiresextensive maintenance and therefore has received little acceptance.

In view of the foregoing, the need exists for an accurate andinexpensive slope and grade meter which is easy for an operator to useand requires very little maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention disclosed, anew and useful slope and grade meter is described for use with earthmoving equipment.

The mechanism of the present invention comprises a first indicatoradapted to be preset at a predetermined reading to which a blade orother tool of an earth moving machine must be held to form a desiredslope or grade. The mechanism also includes a second indicator whichindicates the actual position of the tool. By comparing the actualreading with the desired reading, an operator can move the toolaccordingly.

Also disclosed are three types of mounting arrangements which permit themechanism of the present invention to be mounted at various locations ona motor grader. One of the mounting locations permits the slope andgrade meter to be used for relatively level work such as on a roadway orany other slope forming jobs upon which the motor grader itself mayoperate. A second mounting location is employed when the slope beingformed is too steep for the grader to operate on and requires that theblade be moved laterally with respect to the machine so that only theblade is set on the desired slope. The third mounting location isemployed to indicate the depth at which the blade is set with respect toa particular reference, such as forming the subgrade of a roadway withthe reference being the curb.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand useful slope and grade meter for use on earth moving equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulslope and grade meter which is accurate, easy to use, inexpensive, andrequires minimum maintenance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulslope and grade meter in which indicators provide indications of thedesired and the actual tool positions for operator comparison.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulslope and grade meter with a plurality of mounting arrangements whichallow the meter to be employed for different types of earth movingoperations.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the various featuresthereof, as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understoodfrom the following description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary perspectiveview of a motor grader having the mechanism of the present inventionmounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the mechanism of thepresent invention being employed in a subgrade forming operation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the meter of the present inventionfurther showing the mechanism employed in the subgrade formingoperation;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the indicators and scales of theslope and grade meterof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the mechanism andmounting arrangement suitable for the formation of steep embankments;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top view of the mechanism and mountingarrangement illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating the mechanism of the presentinvention and a mounting arrangement suitable for use in relativelylevel slope forming operations;

' FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary back view of a vernier mechanism ofthe preset indicator of the present invention;

FIG. II is a sectional view taken on the line lll1 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the mechanism of the present inventiontaken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly tothe drawings, FIG. I shows an earth moving machine 15 sometimes called amotor grader. The mechanism of the present invention is illustrated anddescribed herein as being used on the motor grader 15 due to theextensive use of this type of machine in earth moving operations. Itshould be noted, however, that the present invention may be employed onother types of machines such as bulldozers, tractors, trenchers and thelike.

The motor grader I5 is provided with the usual operator's compartment16, main frame 17, front wheels 18 and the rear wheels 19. An A-frame 20is positioned below the main frame 17 and is swingingly connected to thefront thereof by a suitable ball joint (not shown). The rear portion ofthe A-frame 20 is coupled to appropriate control mechanisms which allowsthe operator to control the movements of the A-frame 20. The rearportion of the A-frame 20 is also provided with a rotatable ring 2l fromwhich is suspended a blade 22. The blade 22 is adapted to be rotatedabout the center of the ring 2] and held in various positions. The blade22 is connected to suitable control devices so that it may be movedlaterally with respect to the ring 21.

The above described elements and operation of the motor grader 15 arewell known in the art and therefore were briefly described only insufficient detail to facilitate the understanding of the hereinafterdescribed mechanisms of the present invention.

A slope and grade meter 24 as seen best in FIGS. 5, I0, ll, I2 and I3 isprovided with an enclosing housing 25 having a front 26 upon which anappropriate scale 27 is displayed.

The scale 27 is divided into increments which are identified with theindicia of the most commonly used slopes. It is customary to refer to aslope as a 3 to l, 2 to 1, etc. with the first numeral indicating thehorizontal dimension and the second numeral indicating the verticaldimension of the slope. Thus, a l to l slope would be a slope angle of45.

The scale 27 is used to preset a first indicator means 28 to provide anindication of a desired slope at which the blade 22 must be held to formthat slope. The first indicator means 28 comprises a hand 30 which ispivotably positionable about an axis 31 that is perpendicular to thefront 26 of the housing 25 (see FIG. 12). The hand 30 is provided on oneend with a positioning pointer 32 which is disposed to register with theindicia of the scale 27, and the other end of the hand 30 is providedwith a desired tool position indicating pointer 33. As will hereinafterbe described in detail, the pointer 33 may be ad justable and ispositioned by a vernier mechanism 34 which allows the hand 30 to be setat fractional divisions between the indicia ofthe scale 27.

The meter 24 is provided with a rotatable shaft 36 disposed along theaxis 31. The shaft 36 is journaled for rotation in a pair of spacedapart bearings 37 suitably mounted within the housing 25. A pendulouslysuspended weight 38 is attached to the shaft 36 at a point intermediatethe spaced apart bearings 37. The weight 38 is a gravity responsivedevice which together with the shaft 36 provides one type of a controlmeans..This type of control means dampens or resists rotary movement ofa second indicator 48 when the meter 24 is moved in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the axis 31. The mounting and coupling ofthe second indicator 48 to the control means will hereinafter bedescribed.

As seen best in FIG. 12, the shaft 36 is provided with a front end 40which extends through the front 26 of the housing 25 and passes througha bushing 4] fixedly attached thereto. The bushing 41 is formed with ashoulder 42 on its peripheral diameter 43. The hand 30 of the firstindicator 28 is adapted to be rotatably mounted on the peripheraldiameter 43 of the bushing 41, and is biased into frictionalengagementwith the shoulder 42 thereof by a spring washer 44 that isheld in place by a suitable keeper 45. With the hand 30 mounted asdescribed, it will retain its set position with respect to the scale 27and is not affected by the movements ofthe shaft 36.

The front end 40 of the shaft 36 is formed with a reduced diameterportion 46 to provide a shoulder 47.

A second indicator means 48 is adapted to be rotatably mounted on thereduced diameter portion 46 of the shaft 36, and is biased intofrictional engagement with the shoulder 47 thereof by a spring 49. Theinwardly disposed end of the spring 49 exerts a biasing force on thesecond indicator 48 so that it will respond to the gravity-affectedmovements of the shaft 36. The outwardly disposed end of the spring 49is retained by a pointer 50 which is held on the front end 40 of theshaft 36 by a nut 51. The shaft 36 has flats 52 (FIG. formed on thefront end 40 thereof upon which the pointer 50 is mounted. The pointer50 is formed with flat-mating portions 53 which cause the pointer 50 tomove with the shaft 36, and also radially position the pointer toindicate a diametrically opposed direction with respect to thedisposition of the weight 38.

The second indicator 48 will normally be positioned to indicate adirection which is diametrically opposed to the position of the weight38. Thus it may be seen that the second indicator 48 and the pointer 50will normally operate in unison. To assure proper positioning of theindicator 48 when it is operating in unison with the pointer 50, theindicator 48 is provided with a detent means 54 formed thereon whichwill register with the pointer 50 when properly aligned. The normaloperating conditions as well as the instance when it may be desirable tomove the indicator 48 out of alignment with the pointer 50 willhereinafter be described in detail.

The shaft 36 is provided with a back end 56 which extends rearwardlyfrom the housing 25. A control arm 57 is pendulously suspended from theback end 56 of the shaft 36 and is aligned with the weight 38. The freeend of the arm 57 may be provided with an auxiliary weight 58 in whichan aperture 59 is formed. A set screw 60 is threadably mounted in thefree end of the arm 57 and is positioned to align with the aperture 59.The control arm 57.0r a second type of control means is employed ingrading operations as will be described.

The vernier mechanism 34 provided on the first indicator 28 is best seenin FIGS. 5, and 11. The vernier mechanism 34 comprises a movable lever64 having a spring clip 65 suitably mounted on the upper end thereof.The spring clip 65 is provided with a pointer 66 which is positioned toregister with a vernier scale 67. The scale 67 may be divided intoincrements which are representative of percent of grade or tenths perten feet which are the measurements customarily employed in gradingoperations. The lever 64 is pivotably mounted to the hand 30 by a pin 68which rotatably carries a first roller 69 thereon. The first roller 69is positioned between the hand 30 and the lever 64. A second roller 70is rotatably mounted on the lever 64 and is adjacent to the first roller69 so that the peripheral diameters of the rollers are in abuttingcontact with each other. The second roller 70 rides in a cut-out 71provided in a movable plate 72. The plate 72 has the indicating pointer33 attached thereto which is adapted to extend forwardly through anarcuate slot 73 formed in the hand 30. The pointer 33 extends throughthe slot 73 and depends downwardly for alignment with the secondindicator 48. The plate 72 is provided with parallel upper and lowerarcuate surfaces 74 and 75. The lower arcuate surface 75 of plate 72 isin engagement with an upper arcuate surface 76 of a guide rail 77suitably attached to the hand 30.

When the vernier mechanism 34 is moved to set the first indicator 28 ata division between the indicia of scale 27, the lever 64 is pivotedabout the pin 68 which moves the second roller 70 in an are thus movingthe plate 72. The movement of the plate 72 is guided by the upperarcuate surface 76 of the rail 77 and by the peripheral diameter of thefirst roller 69 which engages the upper arcuate surface 74 of the plate72. It should be noted that the arcuate surfaces 74, 75 and 76 whichcontrol movements of the plate 72 and thus the indicating pointer 33,are arcs of a circle the center of which is located on the axis 31. Thisgeometric relationship results in movements of the indicating pointer 33transcribing an are which is parallel to the arc transcribed by thesecond indicator 48. Therefore, accurate visual comparisons may beeasily made of the positions of the pointer 33 and the indicator 48.

In view of the foregoing, it may be seen that the meter 24 may beemployed in various environments which require comparison between apreset indicator and an indicator which responds to a control means.When the meter 24 is used on the grader l5, three different types ofearth moving operations can be performed in which the meter 24 mayassist the operator.

In a first operational mode the meter 24 is mounted on the main frame 17of the grader l5, and is preferably positioned close to the operatorscompartment 16. This mode is employed in the formation of relativelyshallow slopes, that is any surface upon which the grader itself mayoperate.

In a second operational mode, the meter 24 is mounted on the A-frame 20of the grader l5, and is employed in this position for the formation ofrelatively steep slopes. Relatively steep slopes are considered to bethose upon which the grader 15 is unable to operate, for example, slopesof 2 to l or greater are normally considered at steep slopes.

In a third operational mode, the meter 24 is mounted on the blade 22 forgrading operations such as formation of subgrades in a roadway. Thistype of earth moving operation requires that the blade 22 be accuratelypositioned with respect to a particular reference such as a curb.

FIRST OPERATIONAL MODE The mounting of the meter 24 on the main frame 17is accomplished by a clamp 80 shown in FIG. 9. The clamp 80 is adaptedto be removably mounted on the main frame 17 by suitable attachinghardware such as set screws 81. The clamp 80 is provided with anupstanding member 82 to which a U- shaped bracket 83 is attached. Thebracket 83 is provided with parallel spaced apart upper and lower arms84 and 85 between which the meter 24 is mounted by bolts 86 so as toprovide swivel movement of the meter about an axis 87 through the bolts86. The swivel movement of the meter 24 is provided so that it may beangularly positioned for easy viewing by the operator.

To adjust the meter for this first operational mode, the grader islocated on a relatively flat surface and the meter 24 is placed on anystructural member that is known to be level with respect to the grader15. The first indicator 28 is set so that its positioning pointer 32 isin registry with the H mark (horizontal) of the scale 27. The verniermechanism 34 is set at zero, and the second indicator 48 is positionedto operate in unison with the pointer 50. The operator of the grader 15then lowers the blade 22 into contact with the surface upon which thegrader 15 is located, and by pushing down on one end or the other of theblade 22, repositions the grader 15 until the indicator 48 is broughtinto alignment with the pointer 33 of the indicator 28. With the grader15 held in this position, the meter may then be mounted on the clamp 80.

With the meter 24 adjusted as previously described, the

blade 22 is horizontally disposed and any deviation from the horizontalwill be indicated by misalignment of the indicators 28 and 48. Anydesired shallow slope may then be set by moving the first indicator 28to the desired reading on the scale 27 and moving the blade 22 until thesecond indicator 28 aligns with the desired tool position indicatingpointer 53.

SECOND OPERATIONAL MODE To operate the grader 15 in this mode, the meter24 is mounted on the A-frame of the grader as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.For this type of slope forming operation the blade 22 is moved laterallywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the grader so that the blade 22is operating entirely outside the track of the grader 15. This isaccomplished by the controlled swivel movements of the A-frame 20 andwith the lateral movement ofthe blade with respect to the ring 21.

To accomplish the indications needed in the second operational mode, anextending bracket 90 is mounted on one end of the rear cross member 91of the A-frame 20. The bracket 90 is adapted to be removably mounted ona ball joint pad 92 of the rear member 91 by a spring latch 93. Thebracket 90 extends outwardly from the pad 92 and has the U-shapedbracket 83 and the meter 24 mounted on its free end. The bracket 83 isthe same one described previously in the description of the firstoperational mode, and therefore allows the same swivel movement of themeter 24 about the axis 87, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7. Themeter is also adapted to be rotated about an axis 94 which passesthrough a bolt 95 with which the bracket 83 is mounted on the bracket90. The bracket 90 is provided with a pointer 96 formed on its free endwhich registers with a scale 97 displayed on the bracket 83. The purposefor rotational movement of the meter 24, as well as the pointer 96 andscale 97, will hereinafter be described in detail.

To adjust the meter 24 for operation in the second operational mode, theblade 22 is moved laterally with respect to the grader 15 and is set ata right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the grader 15.The first indicator 28 is set to the indicia of the desired slope, andthe blade 22 is moved until the second indicator 48 is in alignment withthe pointer 33 of the indicator 28. A small test area is then formed onthe embankment which, if desired, may be checked by conventionalmeasuring techniques, The right angle setting of the blade 22 may now bechanged to a more suitable work approach angle. Changing the workapproach angle of the blade 22 with respect to the test area formed onthe embankment, and the geometric relationships of the A-frame and otherblade control devices, will cause the blade 22 to lift off of the testarea, When the blade 22 is moved back into contact with the test area,an error will result in the readings of the meter 24. This erroneousreading is adjusted out of the meter 24 by loosening the bolt 95 andrevolving the meter 24 until the second indicator 48 aligns with thepointer 33 of the indicator 28.

The pointer 96 formed on the free end of the bracket 90 and the scale 97on the bracket 83 are employed to help the operator remember the settingof the meter for the particular approach angle and slope.

THIRD OPERATIONAL MODE As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the meter 24 maybe mounted directly on the blade 22 for operations involving the type ofwork previously described as the third operational mode. In thisinstance the control arm 57 of the meter 24 is connected to a referencesensing means 100 which is shown as a caster 10] mounted on an extendingrod 102. The extending rod 102 is adjustably mounted in the aperture 59by the set screw 60 of the control arm 57. The rod 102 is adjusted sothat the caster 101 is in contact with a reference such as a surface 103of a curb 104. It should be noted that other types of reference sensingmeans may be connected to the arm 57, such as a wire contactingmechanism (not shown) for sensing a guide wire.

The extending rod 102, adjusted as described, will move the control arm57, the weight 38 and the second indicator 48 when the blade 22 is movedvertically. Therefore, adjustments of the meter 24 for this mode ofoperation are made by moving the blade 22 to the desired verticalposition. In this instance the second indicator 48 moves in response tomovements of the control arm 57, and not to the effect of gravity on theweight 38. Thus, the indicator 48 may be rotated independently of thepointer 50 to any position, usually determined by the operators viewingpreference. When the indicator 48 is in the desired position the firstindicator 2 8 is moved into alignment therewith to provide a stableindication of the desired blade position. During the grading operation,misalignments which might occur will notify the operator that the blade22 has deviated from the desired position.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the meter 24 is mounted on the blade 22 by abracket 106. The bracket 106 is adapted to slidingly engage a pair ofspaced apart rails 107, the rails 107 forming an integral part of theblade 22. The bracket 106 comprises a plate 108 having hook members 109and 110 formed thereon to engage the rails 107. The bracket 106 isprovided with a quick disconnect mechanism 111 which includes an offsetroller 112 movably mounted in lugs 113 (one shown) welded or otherwiseattached to the back surface 114 of the plate 108. The offset roller 112is an overcenter device which is moved by a handle 115 into frictionalengagement with the back of the blade 22. The front surface 116 of theplate 108 is provided with a pair of spaced apart, parallel arms 117 and118. The meter 24 is mounted between the arms 117 and 118 by bolts 119to allow swivel movements of the meter 24 in the same manner aspreviously described for mounting of the meter 24in the bracket 83.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 a rod retainer 122 or reference sensing meansretainer is adjustably mounted on the top of the housing 25. Theretainer 122 is formed with an elongated slot 123 through which theextending rod 102 will move.

The rod retainer 122 is provided to limit downward movement of theextending rod 102 which would otherwise fall to the surface being gradedwhen the grader 15 enters such areas as an intersection of roadways. Theretainer 122 prevents damage to the rod 102 and to the caster 101, andalso allows the operator to resume controlled grading after passing theintersection. The operator may replace the caster 102 on the curb 104without dismounting from the grader 15 by raising the blade 22 until thecaster 102 is positioned above the curb 104 and then lowering the bladeto the proper position.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in anillustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in thepractice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adaptedfor specific environments and operating requirements without departingfrom those principles.

For example, the indicators could be adapted to operate suitableelectronic devices which could be employed to send appropriate signalsto remotely located audio or visual display equipment.

The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any suchmodifications within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

What I claim is:

1. A slope and grade meter for use on construction equipment of the typehaving a positionable earth moving tool thereon, said meter adapted toprovide an indication of the relationship between a desired toolposition and an actual tool position, said meter comprising:

a. a housing having a scale with indicia of the desired tool positions;

b. mounting means for attaching said meter to the constructionequipment;

c. a first indicator on said housing and adapted to move therewith, saidfirst indicator positionable on said housing to register with the scalethereof for indicating the desired tool position;

d. a second indicator rotatably mounted on said housing for providing anindication of the actual tool position, the indication of said secondindicator located adjacent to the indication of said first indicator todisplay the relationship therebetween; and

e. control means coupled to said second indicator for controlling therotary motion thereof in accordance with changes in the relationshipbetween the desired tool position and the actual tool position.

2. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim I wherein said firstindicator comprises:

a. a hand;

b. a positioning pointer formed on one end of said hand, saidpositioning pointer disposed adjacent to the scale provided on saidhousing for locating said hand to indicate the desired tool position;and

c. a desired tool position indicating pointer mounted on the other endof said hand.

3. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 2 wherein said firstindicator further comprises a vernier mechanism connected to saiddesired tool position indicating pointer for adjustable positioningthereof at fractional divisions between the indicia ofthe scale on saidhousing.

4. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said verniermechanism comprises:

a. a vernier scale displayed on said hand;

b. a lever pivotably mounted on said hand;

c. a spring clip attached to one end of said lever, said spring cliphaving a pointer which registeringly aligns with said vernier scale; and

d. a movable plate mounted on said hand and adapted to be arcuatelyreciprocated by said lever, said plate having said desired tool positionindicating pointer attached thereto.

5. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controlmeans comprises:

a. a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing, said shaft having afront end extending exteriorly from said housing;

b. means for mounting said second indicator on the front end of saidshaft, said second indicator adapted to move with said shaft; and

c. a weight pendulously suspended from said shaft for resisting rotarymotion thereof upon the occurrence of undesired movement of theconstruction equipment.

6. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim I wherein said controlmeans comprises:

a. a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing, said shaft having afront end and a back end each of which extends exteriorly from saidhousing, said shaft having a shoulder formed on the front end thereof;

b. biasing means on the front end of said shaft for biasing said secondindicator into frictional engagement with the shoulder of said shaft,said biasing means adapted to allow radial positioning of said secondindicator with respect to said shaft;

c. a control arm attached to the back end of said shaft; and d.reference sensing means connected to said control arm for sensing areference and causing rotation movement of said shaft when the actualtool position deviates with respect to the reference.

7. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mountingmeans comprises:

a. a clamp removably mounted on the frame of the construction equipment;

b. an upstanding member affixed to said clamp; and

c. a U-shaped bracket removably mounted on said upstanding member, saidbracket having a pair of parallel spaced apart arms between which saidmeter is swivelingly mounted.

8. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim I wherein said mountingmeans comprises:

a. an extending bracket removably mounted on the frame of saidconstruction equipment, said bracket extending substantially laterallyfrom said frame;

b. a U-shaped bracket rotatably mounted on the free end of saidextending bracket, said U-shaped bracket having a pair of parallelspaced apart arms between which said meter is swivelingly mounted; and

c. means on said extendingbracket and on said U-shaped bracket forindicating the rotational position of said meter with respect to saidextending bracket.

9. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mountingmeans comprises:

a. a bracket removably mounted on the tool of the constructionequipment;

b. quick disconnect means attached to one side of said bracket forfrictionally mounting said bracket to the tool; and

c. a pair of parallel spaced apart arms attached to the other side ofsaid bracket between which said meter is swivelingly mounted.

1. A slope and grade meter for use on construction equipment of the typehaving a positionable earth moving tool thereon, said meter adapted toprovide an indication of the relationship between a desired toolposition and an actual tool position, said meter comprising: a. ahousing having a scale with indicia of the desired tool positions; b.mounting means for attaching said meter to the construction equipment;c. a first indicator on said housing and adapted to move therewith, saidfirst indicator positionable on said housing to register with the scalethereof for indicating the desired tool position; d. a second indicatorrotatably mounted on said housing for providing an indication of theactual tool position, the indication of said second indicator locatedadjacent to the indication of said first indicator to display therelationship therebetween; and e. control means coupled to said secondindicator for controlling the rotary motion thereof in accordance withchanges in the relationship between the desired tool position and theactual tool position.
 2. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1wherein said first indicator comprises: a. a hand; b. a positioningpointer formed on one end of said hand, said positioning pointerdisposed adjacent to the scale provided on said housing for locatingsaid hand to indicate the desired tool position; and c. a desired toolposition indicating pointer mounted on the other end of said hand.
 3. Aslope and grade meter as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first indicatorfurther comprises a vernier mechanism connected to said desired toolposition indicating pointer for adjustable positioning thereof atfractional divisions between the indicia of the scale on said housing.4. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said verniermechanism comprises: a. a vernier scale displayed on said hand; b. alever pivotably mounted on said hand; c. a spring clip attached to oneend of said lever, said spring clip having a pointer which registeringlyaligns with said vernier scale; and d. a movable plate mounted on saidhand and adapted to be arcuately reciprocated by said lever, said platehaving said deSired tool position indicating pointer attached thereto.5. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controlmeans comprises: a. a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing, saidshaft having a front end extending exteriorly from said housing; b.means for mounting said second indicator on the front end of said shaft,said second indicator adapted to move with said shaft; and c. a weightpendulously suspended from said shaft for resisting rotary motionthereof upon the occurrence of undesired movement of the constructionequipment.
 6. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcontrol means comprises: a. a shaft rotatably mounted within saidhousing, said shaft having a front end and a back end each of whichextends exteriorly from said housing, said shaft having a shoulderformed on the front end thereof; b. biasing means on the front end ofsaid shaft for biasing said second indicator into frictional engagementwith the shoulder of said shaft, said biasing means adapted to allowradial positioning of said second indicator with respect to said shaft;c. a control arm attached to the back end of said shaft; and d.reference sensing means connected to said control arm for sensing areference and causing rotation movement of said shaft when the actualtool position deviates with respect to the reference.
 7. A slope andgrade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises:a. a clamp removably mounted on the frame of the construction equipment;b. an upstanding member affixed to said clamp; and c. a U-shaped bracketremovably mounted on said upstanding member, said bracket having a pairof parallel spaced apart arms between which said meter is swivelinglymounted.
 8. A slope and grade meter as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidmounting means comprises: a. an extending bracket removably mounted onthe frame of said construction equipment, said bracket extendingsubstantially laterally from said frame; b. a U-shaped bracket rotatablymounted on the free end of said extending bracket, said U-shaped brackethaving a pair of parallel spaced apart arms between which said meter isswivelingly mounted; and c. means on said extending bracket and on saidU-shaped bracket for indicating the rotational position of said meterwith respect to said extending bracket.
 9. A slope and grade meter asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises: a. a bracketremovably mounted on the tool of the construction equipment; b. quickdisconnect means attached to one side of said bracket for frictionallymounting said bracket to the tool; and c. a pair of parallel spacedapart arms attached to the other side of said bracket between which saidmeter is swivelingly mounted.